Powdery water-absorbing polymers with fine particles bound by thermoplastic adhesives

ABSTRACT

A process for producing and a powdery water-absorbing polymers comprising:
         about 0.01 to 20 wt. % of a fine particle with a particle size of less than about 200 μm;   about 0.001 to 10 wt. % of a thermoplastic adhesive; and   about 60 to 99.998 wt. % of a water-absorbing polymer particle with a particle size of about 200 μm and above, wherein the powdery water-absorbing polymers have:
           a flow value (FFC) within the range from about 1 to 13, and/or   a dust portion of at most about 6 are disclosed.   
               

     Also disclosed are a transport process, a composite, chemical products, and a use of a thermoplastic adhesive.

This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 12/882,594,filed Sep. 15, 2010, currently pending, which is a continuation ofapplication Ser. No. 10/565,770 filed Sep. 20, 2006, now U.S. Pat. No.7,842,386, which was the national stage application under 35 U.S.C. 371of international application No. PCT/EP2004/008184 filed Jul. 22, 2004,which is based on German Application No. DE 103 34 286.9 filed Jul. 25,2003, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.

The present invention relates to powdery water-absorbing polymers, suchas superabsorbent polymers, a process for producing powderywater-absorbing polymers, the powdery water-absorbing polymersobtainable by this process, a transport process, a composite, a chemicalproduct, and the use of a thermoplastic adhesive.

Superabsorbent polymers are water-insoluble, cross-linked polymers thatare able to absorb and retain under pressure large quantities of water,aqueous liquids, and in particular body liquids, such as urine or blood,by swelling and the formation of hydrogels. Superabsorbent polymersabsorb at least 100 times their own weight in water. Further detailsconcerning superabsorbent polymers are disclosed in “ModernSuperabsorbent Polymer Technology,” F. L. Buchholz, A. T. Graham, Wiley,VCH, 1998. Because of these characteristic properties, thesewater-absorbing polymers are principally incorporated into sanitaryarticles, such as for example baby diapers, incontinence products, orsanitary napkins.

Currently, commercially available superabsorbent polymers aresubstantially cross-linked polyacrylic acids or cross-linkedstarch-acrylic acid graft polymers, in which the carboxyl groups arepartially neutralized with sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide.These are attainable by radically polymerizing monomeric acrylic acid orsalts thereof in the presence of suitable cross-linking means. In thisprocess, different polymerization processes can be used, such as forexample solution polymerization, emulsion polymerization, or suspensionpolymerization. Finally, water-absorbing polymers are obtained by thesedifferent processes in particulate form with a particle diameter withina range from about 150 μm to about 850 μm, which are then incorporatedinto the sanitary article.

In order to improve the absorption and swelling capacity of thesewater-absorbing polymer particles, numerous processes have beendescribed in which the surface of the polymer particles is modified. Itis, for example, known from DE-A-40 20 780 to convert thewater-absorbing polymer particles with alkaline carbonates, which canreact with the carboxyl groups of the polymer particles. The surfacesecondary cross-linking effected in this way leads to an increase of theabsorption of the polymer under the action of a pressure.

Besides the conversion of the polymer particles with reactive compounds,in the art numerous processes are also described with which theproperties of the water-absorbing polymer particles are achieved bymeans of a coating with inorganic or organic fine particles.

Thus, in DE-A-35 03 458, it is described that the absorption capacity,the rate of absorption, and the gel stability of superabsorbent polymerparticles can be improved by the application of inert inorganic powdermaterials, such as for example silicon dioxide, in the presence ofsecondary cross-linking agents. To reduce the hygroscopy and thereby toreduce the caking of the polymer particles, EP-A-0 388 120 proposes thecoating of the polymer particles with a porous powder of highly puresilicon dioxide, whereby the powder has an average particle size ofabout 0.1 μm to about 30 μm and a specific surface of about 500 m²/g.

DE-A-199 39 662 teaches that water-absorbing polymer structures arecoated with particulate cyclodextrins and zeolites in order to bindcompounds from body liquids which are characterized by an unpleasantodor.

A common problem in all of these processes for subsequent modificationis that they lead to a release of fine particles in the form of dust,whereby these fine particles arise through mechanical stress, such asfor example by pneumatic conveying and thereupon-contingent abrasion ofthe water-absorbing polymer particles, or result from a lacking adhesionto the surface of the absorbent fine particles of the inorganic ororganic fine particles which are applied for the subsequent modificationof the polymer particles.

The release of dust, in particular dust with a particle size of lessthan about 10 μm, is undesirable for reasons of inhalation toxicity.Fine particles with a particle size of less than about 100 μm cause thevisible dust with all its after-effects and lead to handling problems inproduction and processing distribution. Above all, the flowability ofsuperabsorbent polymers modified at the surface with inorganic ororganic particles is negatively influenced by the lack of adhesion ofthese particles at the surface of the superabsorbent polymer particles.

Embodiments of the present invention overcome the disadvantages arisingfrom the state of the art.

In particular, an embodiment of the present invention comprisesproviding a process by which it is possible to produce superabsorbentpolymer particles modified with inorganic or organic particles, thesuperabsorbent polymer particles having a sufficient adhesion of theorganic or inorganic particles to the surface of the superabsorbentpolymer particle.

Another embodiment of the present invention comprises providingwater-absorbing particles that have excellent absorption properties, forexample with respect to the absorption capacity, the permeability or thespeed of absorption, and which have a satisfactory flow behavior intransport in conveyor installations for producing hygiene articles anddo not tend to form dust.

Yet another embodiment of the present invention comprises providingwater-absorbing polymer particles that have excellent absorptionproperties, for example with respect to the absorption capacity, thepermeability or the speed of absorption, and in addition arecharacterized by a good mechanical stability.

Additionally, the water-absorbing polymer particles can, in theirincorporation into a composite comprising a matrix of a fibrousmaterial, enable a sufficient fixing within the composite by means ofadhesion of the water-absorbing polymer particles to the matrix fibers.

It is also an embodiment of the present invention to provide a compositecomprising water-absorbing polymer particles, the composite having awater absorption at least comparable with absorbent particles known inthe state of the art by means of the excellent absorption properties ofthe water-absorbing polymer particles or in which a satisfactory fixingof the water-absorbing polymer particles within the composite isachieved, whereby the water-absorbing polymer particles incorporated inthe composite have an improved stability and/or a reduced tendency todust.

One embodiment of the present invention comprises providing chemicalproducts comprising the water-absorbing polymer particles, whichproducts have excellent absorption properties and are characterized byas low as possible a release of dust, for example during mechanicalstress.

In addition, an embodiment of the present invention comprises providinga water-absorbing polymer particle which is damaged to as small anextent as possible, and forms as little dust as possible, by themechanical demands occurring during transport processes in theproduction of these polymer particles or during the further processingin dosing systems in airlaid machines or diaper machines. Among theabove embodiments are included powdery water-absorbing polymers, aprocess for producing powdery water-absorbing polymers, powderywater-absorbing polymers obtainable by this process, a transportprocess, a composite, chemical products, and a use of a thermoplasticadhesive.

FIGURE

The foregoing and other features, aspects, and advantages of the presentinvention will become better understood with regard to the followingdescription, appended claims, and accompanying drawing where:

FIG. 1 is a schematic showing a funnel for introducing a sample into aprobe chamber.

Powdery water-absorbing polymers according to an embodiment of thepresent invention comprise:

-   -   about 0.01 wt. % to about 20 wt. % in one aspect, in another        aspect about 0.05 wt. % to about 15 wt. %, and in yet another        aspect about 0.1 wt. % to about 10 wt. % of a fine particle with        a particle size determined by sieve analysis of less than about        200 μm in one aspect, in another aspect from less than about 100        μm, and in yet another aspect less than 50 μm;    -   about 0.001 wt. % to about 10 wt. % in one aspect, in another        aspect about 0.01 wt. % to about 5 wt. %, and in yet another        aspect about 0.1 wt. % to about 1 wt. % of a thermoplastic        adhesive; and    -   about 60 wt. % to about 99.998 wt. % in one aspect, in another        aspect about 70 wt. % to about 99 wt. %, and in yet another        aspect about 80 wt. % to about 95 wt. % of a water-absorbing        polymer particle with a particle size determined by sieve        analysis of at least about 200 μm in one aspect, in another        aspect of at least about 250 μm, and in yet another aspect of at        least about 300 μm, whereby the sum of the above components        amounts to about 100 wt. %, wherein the fine particles are bound        to the surface of the water-absorbing polymer particle by means        of the thermoplastic adhesive and the powdery water-absorbing        polymers have either:        -   a flow value (FFC value) determined according to the test            method described herein within the range from about 1 to            about 13 in one aspect, in another aspect within the range            from about 3 to about 9, and in yet another aspect within            the range from about 4 to about 8, and in even yet another            aspect within the range from about 5 to about 7, or        -   a dust portion determined according to the test method            described herein of at most about 6 in one aspect, in            another aspect at most about 4, and in yet another aspect at            most about 2.

Powdery water-absorbing polymer particles can have both a flow value(FFC value) and a dust portion in the above-mentioned ranges.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, these fineparticles are so-called superabsorbent polymer fine particles that ariseduring transport or sieving steps during the production andconfectioning of superabsorbent polymers.

In a further embodiment of the present invention, the fine particles arenot superabsorbent polymers and in particular are not based onwater-absorbing, cross-linked, partially neutralized polyacrylic acidsor salts thereof. Thus, for example, cyclodextrins are used as fineparticles in the confectioning for odor management in hygiene articles,as described in EP 0 691 856 B1.

In an aspect, fine particles that are not based on water-absorbing,cross-linked, partially neutralized polyacrylic acids, or salts thereofcan be organic, different from the water-absorbing polymers, orinorganic fine particles.

As organic material, any particulate organic material known to thoseskilled in the art can comprise part of the powdery water-absorbingpolymers according to an embodiment of the present invention, which iscommonly used for modifying the properties of water-absorbing polymers.In an aspect, polysaccharides such as cyclodextrins or derivativesthereof can be used as organic fine particles. In another aspect or inaddition, cellulose and cellulose derivatives such as carboxymethylcellulose (CMC), or cellulose ether can be used.

Cyclodextrins or cyclodextrin derivative compounds are disclosed inDE-A-198 25 486 on page 3, line 51 to page 3, line 61. In one aspect,cyclodextrins are non-derivatized α, β, γ or δ-cyclodextrins. Theorganic fine particles used can be comprised in the powderywater-absorbing polymers in a quantity in a range from about 0.1 wt. %to about 1 wt. % in one aspect, in another aspect in a quantity within arange from about 0.25 wt. % to about 0.75 wt. %, and in yet anotheraspect within a range from about 0.4 wt. % to about 0.6 wt. %. Theproportions of amounts given in the examples according to an embodimentof the present invention have shown themselves to be particularlyadvantageous.

As inorganic material, any particulate inorganic material known to thoseskilled in the art can comprise part of the powdery water-absorbingpolymers according to an embodiment of the present invention that iscommonly used for modifying the properties of water-absorbing polymers.Silicates, in particular scaffolding silicates such as zeolites orsilicates that have been obtained by drying aqueous silicic acidsolutions or silica sols belong to an aspect of inorganic fineparticles, for example the commercially obtainable products such asprecipitation silicic acids and pyrogenic silicic acids, for exampleaerosols with a particle size within the range of about 5 nm to about 50nm in one aspect, and in another aspect within the range of about 8 nmto about 20 nm such as “Aerosil 200” from Degussa AG, aluminates,titanium dioxides, zinc oxides, clay materials and further mineralscommon to those skilled in the art as well as carbon-containinginorganic materials.

Silicates include all natural or synthetic silicates that are disclosedas silicates in “Holleman and Wiberg,” Lehrbuch der AnorganischenChemie, Walter de Gruyter Verlag, 91.-100. Edition, 1985″ on pages 750to 783.

In one aspect, silicates are the zeolites. As zeolites, all synthetic ornatural zeolites known to those skilled in the art can be used. Naturalzeolites are zeolites from the natrolite groups, the harmotone groups,the modenite groups, the chabasite groups, the faujasite groups(sodalite groups), or the analcite groups. Examples of natural zeolitesare Analcime, Leucite, Pollucite, Wairakite, Bellbergite, Bikitaite,Boggsite, Brewsterite, Chabazite, Willhendersonite, Cowlesite,Dachiardite, Edingtonite, Epistilbite, Erionite, Faujasite, Ferrierite,Amicite, Garronite, Gismondine, Gobbinsite, Gmelinite, Gonnardite,Goosecreekite, Harmotome, Phillipsite, Wellsite, Clinoptilolite,Heulandite, Laumontite, Levyne, Mazzite, Merlinoite, Montesommaite,Mordenite, Mesolite, Natrolite, Scolecite, Offretite, Paranatrolite,Paulingite, Perlialite, Barrerite, Stilbite, Stellerite, Thomsonite,Tschernichite or Yugawaralite. Synthetic zeolites are zeolite A, zeoliteX, zeolite Y, zeolite P, or the “ABSCENTS®” products available from UOPLLC.

As zeolites, zeolites of the so-called “medium” (“mittlere”) type can beused, in which the SiO₂/AlO₂ ratio is smaller than about 10 in oneaspect, and in another aspect the SiO₂/AlO₂ ratio of these zeolites liesin a range of about 2 to about 10. Besides these “medium” zeolites,zeolites of the “high” (“hohe”) type can furthermore be used, to whichbelong for example the known “molecular sieve” zeolites of the type ZSM,as well as beta-zeolites. These “high” zeolites are characterized by aSiO₂/AlO₂ ratio of at least about 35 in one aspect, and in anotheraspect by a SiO₂/AlO₂ ratio in a range of about 200 to about 500.

As aluminates, spinels occurring in nature, in one aspect commonspinels, zinc spinel, iron spinal, or chromium spinal are used.

Titanium dioxides can be pure titanium dioxide in the crystal formsrutile, anatase, and brookite, as well as iron-containing titaniumdioxides such as for example ilmenite, calcium-containing titaniumdioxides such as titanite or perovskite.

Clay materials can be those that are disclosed as clay materials in“Holleman and Wiberg, Lehrbuch der Anorganischen Chemie, Walter DeGruyter Verlag, 91. to 100. Edition, 1985” on pages 783 to 785. In oneaspect, clay materials are kaolinite, illite, halloysite,montmorillonite, as well as talc.

Furthermore, the metal salts of mono, oligo- and polyphosphoric acidscan be the inorganic fine particles according to an embodiment of thepresent invention. Among these, in particular the hydrates are oneaspect, whereby the mono- to decahydrates and trihydrates are anotheraspect. As metals, in particular alkali and alkaline earth metals areconsidered one aspect, whereby alkaline earth metals are another aspect.Among these, Mg and Ca are one aspect and Mg is another aspect. In thecontext of phosphates, phosphoric acids, and metal compounds thereof,reference is made to “Holleman and Wiberg, Lehrbuch der AnorganischenChemie, Walter De Gruyter Verlag, 91. to 100. Edition, 1985” on pages651 to 669.

In one aspect, carbon-containing, but non-organic materials, are thosepure carbons which are mentioned as graphites in “Holleman and Wiberg,Lehrbuch der Anorganischen Chemie, Walter De Gruyter Verlag, 91. to 100.Edition, 1985” on pages 705 to 708. In another aspect, graphites areartificial graphites such as for example coke, pyrolytic graphite,active carbon, or soot.

The fine particles comprising part of the powdery water-absorbingpolymers according to an embodiment of the present invention can bepresent in the form of fibers, foams, or particles, whereby fibers andparticles are one aspect and particles are another aspect. If organicpolysaccharides, such as for example cellulose fine particles, are usedas fine particles in one aspect, then in another aspect the fineparticles are used in the form of fibers. These fibers can have a lineardensity within the range of about 0.5 to about 6 in one aspect and inanother aspect within the range of about 0.7 to about 4 detex. Furtherdetails of suitable fibers are disclosed in EP-A-0 273 141.

In the use of organic or inorganic fine particles or of mixtures thereofdescribed in the following, these fine particles can comprise part ofthe powdery water-absorbing polymers in a quantity within a range ofabout 0.1 wt. % to about 1 wt. % in one aspect, in another aspect in aquantity within a range from about 0.25 wt. % to about 0.75 wt. %, andin yet another aspect within a range from about 0.4 wt. % to about 0.6wt. %. The proportions given in the examples according to embodiments ofthe present invention have shown themselves as particularlyadvantageous, in particular for the above-detailed organic and inorganicindividual compounds.

In an embodiment according to the present invention, the powderywater-absorbing polymers comprise as a component a mixture of an organicand an inorganic fine particle.

In an embodiment of the powdery water-absorbing polymer according to thepresent invention, the fine particle that is, in an aspect, not based onwater-absorbing cross-linked poly(meth)acrylates comprises, to at leastabout 80 wt. % in one aspect, in another aspect to at least about 90 wt.%, and in yet another aspect to at least about 95 wt. %, based on theweight of the fine particle which is, in another aspect, not based onwater-absorbing cross-linked poly(meth)acrylates, an inorganic fineparticle.

In another embodiment of the powdery water-absorbing polymer accordingto the present invention, the fine particle which is, in an aspect, notbased on water-absorbing cross-linked poly(meth)acrylates comprises, toat least about 80 wt. % in one aspect, in another aspect to at leastabout 90 wt. %, and in yet another aspect to at least about 95 wt. %,based on the weight of the fine particle which is, in another aspect,not based on water-absorbing cross-linked poly(meth)acrylates, anorganic fine particle.

It is furthermore an embodiment according to the present invention thatthe fine particles which are, in an aspect, not based onwater-absorbing, cross-linked, partially neutralized polyacrylic acidsor salts thereof have a specific surface determined according to the BETmethod within a range of about 30 m²/g to about 850 m²/g in one aspect,in another aspect within a range of about 40 m²/g to about 500 m²/g, inyet another aspect within a range of about 100 m²/g to about 300 m²/gm²/g, and in even yet another aspect within a range from about 150 m²/gto about 250 m²/g. In general, and in the case that the fine particlesare sipernates and aerosols, the specific surface lies within a range ofabout 30 m²/g to about 850 m²/g in one aspect, in another aspect withina range from about 40 m²/g to about 500 m²/g, and in yet another aspectwithin a range from about 100 m²/g to about 300 m²/g, and is determinedwith nitrogen in an area meter according to ISO 5794, Annex D. In anembodiment of the powdery water-absorbing polymer according to thepresent invention, at least about 90 wt. % in one aspect, in anotheraspect at least about 95 wt. %, and in yet another aspect at least about99 wt. % of the fine particles which are, in an aspect, not based onwater-absorbing cross-linked polyacrylates a particle size of less thanabout 200 μm in one aspect, in another aspect of less than about 100 μm,and in yet another aspect of less than about 1 μm, and in even yetanother aspect of less than about 500 nm, and in even yet a furtheraspect of less than about 100 nm. The sipernates have a particle sizewithin the range of about 10 μm to about 180 μm in one aspect, inanother aspect within the range of about 20 μm to about 150 μm, and inyet another aspect within the range of about 30 μm to about 110 μm. Theparticle size can be determined according to ASTM C 690-1992 with aMultisizer. In another embodiment of the present invention, thesipernates have a mean particle size within the range of about 1 μm toabout 40 μm in one aspect, in another aspect within the range of about 2μm to about 30 μm, and in yet another aspect within the range of about 3μm to about 20 μm as determined according to ASTM C 690-1992.

A “thermoplastic adhesive” is understood according to embodiments of thepresent invention to be a material that has no adhesive properties belowa given temperature. Above a given temperature, in one aspect above themelting point of the material, the material shows sticky properties oradhesive properties, whereby these properties also remain in thesolidified state after binding two substrates in the molten state. Therespective sticky or adhesive properties can appear at least about 10°C. in one aspect, in another aspect at least about 20° C., and in yetanother aspect within a range of about 21° C. to about 100° C. above themelting point, determined by differential scanning calometry (DSC), ofthe material or material mixture used as thermoplastic adhesive. It isalso possible in the present invention to use thermoplastic adhesivesthat comprise two ore more different compounds. The two ore morecompounds can differ from each other in the chemical composition or intheir molecular weight or in both.

The thermoplastic adhesives can be used as particles. In one aspect, atleast about 50 wt. % and in another aspect at least about 70 wt. % ofthe particles have a particle size within the range of about 10 μm toabout 500 μm in one aspect, in another aspect about 25 μm to about 250μm, and in yet another aspect about 40 μm to about 120 μm. The particlesizes can be determined by sieve analysis up to a size of about 20 μm.For particle sizes of less than about 20 μm, light scattering can beused to determine the particle size.

As thermoplastic adhesives, polymeric materials with a molecular weightof more than about 1000 g/mol that have a corresponding meltingtemperature and at a corresponding application temperature do notdecompose or show any alteration of the molecular composition whichwould otherwise be disadvantageous for the adhesive effect are generallysuitable.

The number average molecular weight (M_(n)) determined by gel permeationchromatography (GPC) of the polymers that can be used as thermoplasticadhesives lies between about 10,000 g/mol and about 1,000,000 g/mol inone aspect, in another aspect between about 20,000 g/mol and about300,000 g/mol and in yet another aspect between about 50,000 g/mol andabout 150,000 g/mol.

The molecular weight distribution of the cited polymers, which canlikewise be determined by gel permeation chromatography (GPC), can bemonomodal. Optionally, a polymer usable as thermoplastic adhesive canalso have a bi-modal or higher-modal distribution.

Compounds that can be used as thermoplastic adhesives according toembodiments of the present invention comprise a portion of at leastabout 60 wt. % in one aspect, in another aspect a portion of about 80wt. %, and in yet another aspect a portion of about 100 wt. %, based onthe total weight of the thermoplastic adhesive, a melting temperatureaccording to ISO 11357 of at least about 50° C. in one aspect, inanother aspect at least about 60° C., and in yet another aspect at leastabout 70° C., whereby a melting temperature according to ISO 11357 ofabout 300° C. in one aspect, in another aspect about 250° C., and in yetanother aspect 200° C. is not exceeded.

The thermoplastic adhesives that can be used according to embodiments ofthe present invention can be not only solid but also can have anon-sticky surface, at temperatures of up to about 30° C. in one aspect,and in another aspect at temperatures lying there above, for example atup to about 40° C. or up to about 50° C.

At a little above the melting temperature, the thermoplastic adhesivecan have relatively low viscosity. In one aspect, its melt viscosityaccording to Brookfield (ASTM E 28) with a number 27 spindle at atemperature of about 160° C. should be less than 2,000 Pas in oneaspect, in another aspect smaller than 1,200 Pas, and in yet anotheraspect smaller than 600 Pas.

A thermoplastic adhesive according to embodiments of the presentinvention can be a material that comprises at least about 10 wt. % inone aspect, in another aspect at least about 50 wt. %, and in yetanother aspect at least about 90 wt. %, based on the total weight of thethermoplastic adhesive, a polymer selected from polyurethanes,polyesters, polyamides, polyolefins, polyvinyl esters, polyethers,polystyrenes, polyimides, in particular polyether imides, sulfurpolymers, in particular polysulfones, polyacetals, in particularpolyoxymethylene, fluoride plastics, in particular polyvinylidinefluoride, styrene-olefin copolymers, polyacrylates or ethylene-vinylacetate copolymers or mixtures of two or more of the cited polymers,whereby among these polymers, polycondensates and among these polyestersare an aspect.

Polyurethanes according to embodiments of the present invention areunderstood to be all polymers that have at least two urethane groups inthe polymer backbone.

In embodiments according to the present invention, all thermoplasticpolyurethanes known to those skilled in the art in the area ofpolyurethane chemistry are suitable, in particular such polyurethanes asare used commonly in the production of thermoplastic formed bodies, inparticular of films, or for thermoplastic coating of surfaces. Forexample, polyester polyurethanes or polyether polyurethanes aresuitable, as are obtainable by conversion of dicarboxylic acids withcorresponding polyfunctional alcohols, in particular difunctionalalcohols, for example difunctional polyethers such as polyethyleneoxide, to polyether- or polyester polyols and then conversion of thecorresponding polyether- or polyester polyols with di- or polyfunctionalisocyanates. In one aspect, thermoplastic polyurethanes are thosepolyurethanes which are distributed by the company Kern GmbH,GroBmeischeid, Germany, under the product code “TPU D,” “TPU 93 A,” “TPU80 A” and “TPU GF 20.” In another aspect, a thermoplastic polyurethaneis the polyurethane with the product number “6005” distributed by thecompany Schaetti AG, Zurich, Switzerland under the product code“SchaettiFix®.”

Polyester, according to embodiments of the present invention, areunderstood to be all polymers that have at least two ester groups and nourethane groups in the polymer backbone. In the present invention, allthermoplastic polyesters known to those skilled in the art are suitable,in particular such polyesters as are commonly used in the production ofthermoplastic formed bodies, in particular of films, or forthermoplastic coating of surfaces. For example, polyesters are suitable,as obtainable by conversion of dicarboxylic acids with correspondingpolyfunctional alcohols, in particular difunctional alcohols, forexample difunctional polyethers such as polyethylene oxide. In oneaspect, polyesters can be composed of terephthalic acid or a derivativethereof, isophthalic acid or a derivative thereof, adipinic acid orisophthalic acid or a derivative thereof, adipinic acid or a derivativethereof, and at least one polyol, such as butanediol or ethylene glycolor mixtures thereof. An embodiment of the ester comprises terephthalicacid or a derivative thereof, isophthalic acid, or a derivative thereof,or mixtures thereof in a quantity within the range of about 30 wt. % toabout 80 wt. % in one aspect, and in another aspect in a quantity withinthe range of about 40 wt. % to about 65 wt. %. A further embodiment ofthe ester comprises adipinic acid or a derivative thereof in a quantitywithin the range of about 3 wt. % to about 20 wt. % in one aspect, andin another aspect in a quantity within the range from about 5 wt. % toabout 15 wt. %. Furthermore, another embodiment of the ester comprisesat least one polyol, in one aspect butanediol or ethylene glycol or amixture thereof, in a quantity within the range of about 25 wt. % toabout 55 wt. % in one aspect, and in another aspect in a quantity withinthe range of about 30 wt. % to about 40 wt. %. The above wt. % amountsare always based on the respective ester.

In one aspect, thermoplastic polyesters are those polyesters that aredistributed by the company Kern GmbH, Groβmaischeid, Germany, under theproduct codes “PET,” “PBT,” “PBT V 0,” “PC,” “PC V 0,” “PC FDA,” “PC GF10 V0” and “PC GF 30.” In another aspect are those thermoplasticpolyesters which are distributed by the company Schaetti AG, Zurich,Switzerland, under the product code “SchaettiFix” under the productnumbers “373,” “374,” “376,” “386,” “386 F,” and “399.” In yet anotheraspect are the thermoplastic copolyesters which are distributed by thecompany Degussa AG, Dusseldorf, Germany, under the product codes“Dynacoll 7000,” “Dynacoll 7380,” “Dynacoll 7340,” “Vestamelt 4280,”“Vestamelt 4481,” “Vestamelt 4580,” and “Vestamelt 4680/4681.”

In embodiments according of the present invention, suitable polyamidesinclude all plastic polyamides obtainable by conversion of suitable di-or polycarboxylic acids with corresponding amines. In an embodiment ofthe present invention, polyamides are used that were at least partiallyproduced by using dimeric fatty acids as dicarboxylic acids. In afurther embodiment of the present invention, nylon types are used asmelt adhesive, for example, nylon-6,6, nylon-6,9 or nylon-6,12.

In one aspect, thermoplastic polyamides are those polyamides that aredistributed by the company Kern GmbH, Groβmaischeid, Germany under theproduct codes “PA 6 E,” “PA 6,” “PA 6 flex,” “PA 6 V 0,” “PA 6 MoS2,”“PA 6 M 30,” “PA 6 M 30 V 0,” “PA 6 G 210,” “PA 6 G 210 H,” “PA 6 G212,” “PA 6 G 216,” “PA 6 G 210 Ö1,” “PA 6 G 210 AX,” “PA 6 G 210 MoS2,”“PA 6 G 210 AX,” “PA 66 E,” “PA 66,” “PA 66 H,” “PA 66 PE,” “PA 6/6T,”“PA 12 E,” “PA 12,” and “PA 12 G.” In another aspect are thosethermoplastic polyamides that are distributed by the company SchaettiAG, Zurich, Switzerland under the product code “SchaettiFix®” and theproduct numbers “5018,” “5047,” “5045,” “5005,” “5000,” “5010,” and“5065.” In yet another aspect, polyamides are thermoplastic polyamidesthat are distributed by the company Degussa AG, Dusseldorf, Germanyunder the product codes “Vestamelt 171,” “Vestamelt 250,” “Vestamelt251,” “Vestamelt 253,” “Vestamelt 350,” “Vestamelt 351,” “Vestamelt353,” “Vestamelt 430,” “Vestamelt 432,” “Vestamelt 450,” “Vestamelt451,” “Vestamelt 470,” “Vestamelt 471,” “Vestamelt 640,” “Vestamelt722,” “Vestamelt 730,” “Vestamelt 732,” “Vestamelt 733,” “Vestamelt742,” “Vestamelt 750,” “Vestamelt 753,” “Vestamelt 755,” “Vestamelt840,” “Vestamelt X 1301,” “Vestamelt 3041,” “Vestamelt 3261,” “VestameltX 4685,” “Vestamelt X 7079,” and “Vestamelt X 1010.”

Suitable polyolefins according to an embodiment of the present inventionare for example obtainable by radical or coordinative polymerization ofalpha-olefins, in particular of ethylene or propylene. In embodiments ofthe present invention, both homopolymers and copolymers are suitable foruse as thermoplastic adhesive. If copolymers are used as thermoplasticadhesive, then in an aspect such thermoplastic adhesives can comprise atleast a portion of atactic copolymers, in another aspect, however,substantially comprise atactic copolymers. For producing correspondingcompounds, suitable processes are known to those skilled in the art.

In one aspect, thermoplastic polyolefins are those polyethylenes andpolypropylenes that are distributed by the company Kern GmbH,Groβmaischeid, Germany, under the product codes “PE UHMW,” “PE HMW,” “PEHMW ELS,” “PE HD,” “PE LD,” “PP-H,” “PP-C,” “PP-C HI,” “PP V2,” “PP M20”and “PP M40.” In another aspect, thermoplastic polyolefins are thosethermoplastic ethylenes that are distributed by the company Schaetti AG,Zurich, Switzerland under the product code “SchaettiFix” and the productnumbers “1800,” “1820,” “1822,” “1825,” “120” and “140.”

In an embodiment of the present invention, polymers and copolymers ofvinyl acetates are suitable as polyvinyl ester. In another embodimentaccording to the present invention, copolymers of vinyl acetate withalpha-olefins, in particular with ethylene, are used. In one aspect, thecopolymers have a vinyl acetate content of about 15 wt. % to about 40wt. %, and in another aspect about 18 wt. % to about 25 wt. %. The meltindex of polymers of this type in one aspect lies at about 150 to about500, measured according to ASTM D 1238.

In one aspect, thermoplastic polyvinyl esters are those polyvinyl esterswhich are distributed by the company Schaetti AG, Zurich, Switzerlandunder the product code “SchaettiFix®” and the product numbers “2047,”“2048,” “1303,” and “2050.”

In an embodiment of the present invention, suitable polyethers include,for example, polyethylene oxide, polypropylene oxide, polybutyleneoxide, or polytetrahydrofuran, in particular with a molecular weight ofgreater than about 5,000.

Suitable polystyrenes, for example, include polymers of styrene orα-methylstyrene.

Likewise in an aspect, suitable polymers for the thermoplastic adhesivesinclude styrene-olefin block copolymers, as obtainable bycopolymerization of styrene with mono- or diolefins, in an aspectbutadiene. In another aspect, suitable in this context includes thepolymers referred to as synthetic rubbers, as are obtainable from thecopolymerization of styrene and butadiene or styrene and isoprene.Likewise suited in embodiment of the present invention are syntheticrubbers of the cited type, which have been subjected to a partial orfull hydration. Synthetic rubbers usable as thermoplastic adhesives inthe present invention in one aspect have a number average molecularweight of about 70,000 to about 200,000, for example about 80,000 toabout 150,000.

In one aspect, thermoplastic polymers based on styrene include thosestyrene polymers that are distributed by the company Kern GmbH,Groβmaischeid, Germany under the product codes “PS,” “PS V2,” “SB,” “SBV0,” “SB ELS,” “ABS,” “ABS V0,” “ABS EMV,” “SAN,” “ASA,” and “ASA HI.”

The terms “polyacrylate” or “polyacrylates,” as used in the presenttext, in the context of the thermoplastic adhesive, refer in thefollowing both to polymers or copolymers of acrylic acid and/or itsderivatives, and to polymers or copolymers of methacrylic acid and/orits derivatives.

Polyacrylates can be produced, in that acrylic acid and/or methacrylicacid and/or derivatives of acrylic acid and/or methacrylic acid, forexample esters thereof with mono- or polyfunctional alcohols, alone oras a mixture of two or more thereof, are polymerized in known ways, forexample radically or ionically.

In an embodiment of the present invention, thermoplastic adhesive basedon polyacrylates, homopolymers, or copolymers that have, besides theacrylic acid esters (acrylates) additionally styrene, acrylonitrile,vinyl acetate, vinyl propionate, vinyl chloride, vinylidene chloride,ethylene, propylene, and/or butadiene, can be used.

As monomer, in the production of thermoplastic adhesives based onpolyacrylates, include in particular methacrylate, ethyl acrylate,n-butylacrylate, isobutyl acrylate, tert-butylacrylate, hexylacrylate,2-ethyl-hexylacrylate, or laurylacrylate. Optionally, as furthermonomers, additionally acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, acrylamide, ormethacrylamide can be added in small quantities during thepolymerization.

Optionally, yet further acrylates and/or methacrylates with one or morefunctional groups can be present during the polymerization. For example,these are maleic acid, itaconic acid, butanediol diacrylate, hexanedioldiacrylate, triethylene glycol diacrylate, tetraethylene glycoldiacrylate, neopentyl glycol diacrylate, trimethylolpropane triacrylate,2-hydroxyethylacrylate, 2-hydroxyethylmethacrylate, hydroxypropylacrylate, propylene glycol methacrylate, butanediol monoacrylate, ethyldiglycol acrylate, as well as sulfonic acid group-carrying monomers, forexample 2-acrylamido-2-methyl propane sulfonic acid. In one aspect areacrylic ester vinyl ester copolymers, acrylic ester styrene copolymers,or acrylic ester methacrylic ester copolymers.

In a further embodiment, powdery, water-absorbing polymers according tothe present invention, copolymers of acrylic acid and styrene arecomprised part of the thermoplastic adhesive based on polyacrylates,whereby the monomer ratio in melt adhesives of this type amounts toabout 70:30 (styrene:acrylic acid).

The thermoplastic adhesives comprising part of the powderywater-absorbing polymers according to embodiments of the presentinvention comprise at least one of the above compounds. It is, inembodiments of the present invention, however, also possible that thethermoplastic adhesives used comprise two or more of the citedcompounds.

In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the thermoplasticadhesive comprises at least two polymers selected from the groupconsisting of vinyl acetate homo polymers, vinyl acetate copolymers,poly-alpha-olefins, polyacrylates, polymethacrylates, polyacrylic acidesters, polymethacrylic acid esters, polyethers, polyesters, polyamidesor polyurethanes.

Besides one or more of the above-mentioned polymers, a thermoplasticadhesive, comprising part of the powdery water-absorbing polymersaccording to an embodiment of the present invention, can comprise yetfurther additives that allow a modification of the adhesive properties.For example, the so-called tackifier-resins are suitable for thispurpose, which can be sub-divided into natural resins and syntheticresins (artificial resins). Suitable tackifier-resins are, for example,alkyd resins, epoxide resins, melamine resins, phenol resins, urethaneresins, hydrocarbon resins, as well as natural resins from colophony,wood turpentine, and tall oil. As synthetic hydrocarbon resins, forexample ketone resins, coumarone-indene resins, isocyanate resins, andterpene-phenol resins are suitable. In embodiments of the presentinvention, synthetic resins are an aspect.

Resins of this type can comprise part of the thermoplastic adhesivescomprising part of the powdery water-absorbing polymers according to anembodiment of the present invention in a quantity of up to about 50 wt.% in one aspect, in another aspect up to about 60 wt. %, and in yetanother aspect up to about 70 wt. %, based on the thermoplasticadhesive, for example in a quantity of about 0.1 wt. % to about 35 wt. %in one aspect, or about 3 wt. % to about 20 wt. % in another aspect.

Besides the already mentioned components, a thermoplastic adhesive,comprising part of the powdery water-absorbing polymers according to anembodiment of the present invention, can additionally comprise at leastone wax. A “wax,” in embodiments of the present invention, is understoodas a water-insoluble compound or a mixture of two or more of suchcompounds with a melting point of about 90° C. to about 165° C. Suitablewaxes include, for example, paraffin waxes, polyethylene waxes,polypropylene waxes, montan waxes, Fischer-Tropsch waxes,microcrystalline waxes, or carnauba waxes.

Waxes of this type can be present in a thermoplastic adhesive, as can beused in embodiment of the present invention, in a quantity of up toabout 60 wt. % in one aspect, in another aspect up to about 70 wt. %,and in yet another aspect up to about 80 wt. %, based on thethermoplastic adhesive, for example in a quantity of about 5 wt. % toabout 60 wt. %. If compounds are used in embodiments of the presentinvention as thermoplastic adhesives, which are obtainable from thepolymerization of alpha-olefins, the portion of waxes in melt adhesivesof this type amounts to at least about 5 wt. % in one aspect or at leastabout 10 wt. % in another aspect.

An aspect in a design of embodiments of the present invention can bethat the thermoplastic adhesive is applied to the powderywater-absorbing polymer as a liquid phase. For this purpose, besidessolutions of the thermoplastic adhesive, emulsions and dispersions aresuitable. As solvents for this liquid phase, all organic and inorganicsolvents known to those skilled in the art are considered suitable. Theliquid phases comprise the thermoplastic adhesive in a quantity withinthe range of about 0.001 wt. % to about 50 wt. % in one aspect, inanother aspect within a range of about 0.01 wt. % to about 25 wt. %, andin yet another aspect within the range of about 0.1 wt. % to about 15wt. %, based on the solvent quantity. Also, the liquid phase comprisesas solvent to at least about 60 wt. % in one aspect, and in anotheraspect to at least about 80 wt. % water. Additionally, the liquid phasehas at least one of the following described secondary cross-linkers,whereby in this context secondary cross-linker quantities are within arange of about 0.001 wt. % to about 20 wt. % in one aspect, and within arange of about 0.01 wt. % to about 10 wt. % in another aspect.

Among the above-disclosed thermoplastic adhesives, sulfonatedthermoplastic adhesives are particularly suitable for use in liquidphases. Among these, sulfonated polyesters, sulfonated polyamides suchas nylon are one aspect. A further group of thermoplastic adhesivessuitable for liquid phases are polyethoxylated polyamides such as nylon,for example obtainable as Lurotex® from BASF AG in Ludwigshafen.Additionally suitable for use in liquid phases are styrene acrylic acidcopolymers such as Joncryl® from SC Johnson, block copolymers comprisingpolyurethane and polyethylene oxide blocks, at least partiallyhydrolysed ethylene vinyl acetate copolymers, and emulsions comprisingpolyacrylate and polyesters.

In an embodiment relating to powdery water-absorbing polymers accordingto the present invention, the water-absorbing polymer particlescomprising part of the polymers are based on:

-   (α1) about 0.1 wt. % to about 99.999 wt. % in one aspect, in another    aspect about 20 wt. % to about 98.99 wt. %, and in yet another    aspect about 30 wt. % to about 98.95 wt. % of polymerized,    ethylenically unsaturated, acidic group-containing monomers or salts    thereof, or polymerized, ethylenically unsaturated monomers    containing a protonated or a quaternary nitrogen, or mixtures    thereof, wherein mixtures comprising at least ethylenically    unsaturated, acidic groups-containing monomers, preferably acrylic    acid, are an aspect;-   (α2) 0 to about 70 wt. % in one aspect, in another aspect about 1    wt. % to about 60 wt. %, and in yet another aspect about 1 wt. % to    about 40 wt. % of polymerized, ethylenically unsaturated monomers    which can be co-polymerized with (α1);-   (α3) about 0.001 wt. % to about 10 wt. % in one aspect, in another    aspect about 0.01 wt. % to about 7 wt. %, and in yet another aspect    about 0.05 wt. % to about 5 wt. % of one or more cross-linkers;-   (α4) 0 wt. % to about 30 wt. % in one aspect, in another aspect    about 1 wt. % to about 20 wt. %, and in yet another aspect about 5    wt. % to about 10 wt. % of water-soluble polymers; and-   (α5) 0 wt. % to about 20 wt. % in one aspect, in another aspect    about 0.01 wt. % to about 7 wt. %, and in yet another aspect about    0.05 wt. % to about 5 wt. % of one or more auxiliaries, wherein the    sum of the component weights (α1) to (α5) amounts to about 100 wt.    %.

Monoethylenically unsaturated, acid group-containing monomers (α1) canbe partially or fully, in one aspect partially neutralized. Themonoethylenically unsaturated, acid group-containing monomers can beneutralized to at least about 25 mol. % in one aspect, in another aspectto at least about 50 mol. %, and in yet another aspect to about 50 mol.% to about 90 mol. %. The neutralization of the monomers (α1) can occurbefore and also after the polymerization. Further, the neutralizationcan occur with alkali metal hydroxides, alkaline earth metal hydroxides,ammonia, and carbonates and bicarbonates. In addition, every furtherbase is conceivable that forms a water-soluble salt with the acid. Amixed neutralization with different bases is also conceivable.Neutralization with ammonia or with alkali metal hydroxides is oneaspect, and another aspect is with sodium hydroxide or with ammonia.

Furthermore, in a polymer, free acid groups can predominate, so thatthis polymer has a pH value lying in the acid range. This acidicwater-absorbing polymer may be at least partially neutralized by apolymer containing free basic groups, in one aspect amine groups, thatis basic compared to the acidic polymer. These polymers are termed“mixed-bed ion-exchange absorbent polymers” (MBIEA polymers) in theliterature and are disclosed in, inter alia, WO 99/34843. As a rule,MBIEA polymers represent a composition that contains on the one handbasic polymers that are able to exchange anions, and on the other handcontains a polymer that is acidic compared to the basic polymer and thatis able to exchange cations. The basic polymer contains basic groups andis typically obtained by the polymerization of monomers that carry basicgroups or groups that can be converted into basic groups. These monomersare in particular those that contain primary, secondary, or tertiaryamines or the corresponding phosphines or at least two of theaforementioned functional groups. This group of monomers includes inparticular ethyleneamine, allylamine, diallylamine, 4-aminobutene,alkyloxycycline, vinylformamide, 5-aminopentene, carbodiimide,formaldacin, melamin and the like, as well as their secondary ortertiary amine derivatives.

In one aspect, monoethylenically unsaturated, acidic group-containingmonomers (α1) include acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, ethacrylic acid,α-chloroacrylic acid, α-cyanoacrylic acid, β-methylacrylic acid(crotonic acid), α-phenylacrylic acid, β-acryloxypropionic acid,sorbinic acid, α-chlorosorbinic acid, 2′-methylisocrotonic acid,cinnamic acid, p-chlorocinnamic acid, β-stearic acid, itaconic acid,citraconic acid, mesaconic acid, glutaconic acid, aconitic acid, maleicacid, fumaric acid, tricarboxythylene, and maleic acid anhydride,wherein acrylic acid and methacrylic acid are one aspect and acrylicacid another aspect.

Besides these carboxylate group-containing monomers, in another aspectmonoethylenically unsaturated acidic group-containing monomers (α1)include ethylenically unsaturated sulfonic acid monomers orethylenically unsaturated phosphonic acid monomers.

In one aspect, ethylenically unsaturated sulfonic acid monomers includeallylsulfonic acid or aliphatic or aromatic vinylsulfonic acids oracrylic or methacrylic acids. Aliphatic or aromatic vinylsulfonic acidscan be vinylsulfonic acid, 4-vinylbenzylsulfonic acid,vinyltoluenesulfonic acid, and styrenesulfonic acid. Acrylic ormethacrylic acids can be sulfoethyl(meth)acrylate,sulfopropyl(meth)acrylate, and 2-hydroxy-3-methacryloxypropylsulfonicacid. As (meth)acrylamidoalkylsulfonic acid,2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid is an aspect.

In another aspect, ethylenically unsaturated phosphonic acid monomersinclude, for example, vinylphosphonic acid, allylphosphonic acid,vinylbenzylphosphonic acid, (meth)acrylamidoalkylphosphonic acids,acrylamidoalkyldiphosphonic acids, phosphonomethylated vinylamines, and(meth)acrylphosphonic acid derivatives.

According to embodiments of the present invention, the water-absorbingpolymer can comprise at least about 50 wt. % in one aspect, in anotheraspect at least about 70 wt. %, and in yet another aspect at least about90 wt. % carboxylate group-containing monomers. Also, according toembodiments of the present invention, the water-absorbing polymer cancomprise at least about 50 wt. % in one aspect, and in another aspect atleast about 70 wt. % acrylic acid, which is neutralized preferably to atleast about 20 mol. % in one aspect, and in another aspect to at leastabout 50 mol. %.

In one aspect, ethylenically unsaturated monomers (α1) containing aprotonated nitrogen can be dialkylaminoalkyl(meth)acrylates in theprotonated form, for example dimethylaminoethyl(meth)acrylatehydrochloride or dimethylaminoethyl(meth)acrylate hydrosulfate, as wellas dialkylaminoalkyl(meth)acrylamides in the protonated form, forexample dimethylaminoethyl(meth)acrylamide hydrochloride,dimethylaminopropyl(meth)acrylamide hydrochloride,dimethylaminopropyl(meth)acrylamide hydro sulfate, ordimethylaminoethyl(meth)acrylamide hydrosulfate.

In one aspect, ethylenically unsaturated monomers (α1) containing aquaternated nitrogen are dialkylammoniumalkyl(meth)acrylates inquaternated form, for exampletrimethylammoniumethyl(meth)acrylate-methosulfate ordimethylethylammoniumethyl(meth)acrylate-ethosulfate as well as(meth)acrylamidoalkyldialkylamine in quaternated form, for example(meth)acrylamidopropyltrimethylammonium chloride,trimethylammoniumethyl(meth)acrylate chloride, or(meth)acrylamidopropyltrimethylammonium sulfate.

In one aspect, monoethylenically unsaturated monomers (α2) which can beco-polymerized with (α1) are acrylamides and (meth)acrylamides.

Possible (meth)acrylamides besides acrylamide and methacrylamide includealkyl-substituted (meth)acrylamides or aminoalkyl-substitutedderivatives of (meth)acrylamide such as N-methylol(meth)acrylamide,N,N-dimethylamino(meth)acrylamide, dimethyl(meth)acrylamide, ordiethyl(meth)acrylamide. Possible vinylamides are for exampleN-vinylamides, N-vinylformamides, N-vinylacetamides,N-vinyl-N-methylacetamides, N-vinyl-N-methylformamides,vinylpyrrolidone. Among these monomers, acrylamide is one aspect.

Furthermore, monoethylenically unsaturated monomers (α2) that arecopolymerizable with (α1) can be monomers that are dispersible in water.Monomers that are dispersible in water can be acrylic acid esters andmethacrylic acid esters, such as methyl(meth)acrylate,ethyl(meth)acrylate, propyl(meth)acrylate, or butyl(meth)acrylate, aswell as vinyl acetate, styrene, and isobutylene.

In one aspect, cross-linkers (α3) according to the present inventioninclude compounds that have at least two ethylenically unsaturatedgroups in one molecule (cross-linker class I), compounds that have atleast two functional groups that can react with functional groups of themonomers (α1) or (α2) in a condensation reaction (=condensationcross-linkers), in an addition reaction or a ring-opening reaction(cross-linker class II), compounds which have at least one ethylenicallyunsaturated group and at least one functional group which can react withfunctional groups of the monomers (α1) or (α2) in a condensationreaction, an addition reaction or a ring-opening reaction (cross-linkerclass III), or polyvalent metal cations (cross-linker class IV). Thus,with the compounds of cross-linker class I, a cross-linking of thepolymer is achieved by radical polymerization of the ethylenicallyunsaturated groups of the cross-linker molecules with themonoethylenically unsaturated monomers (α1) or (α2), while with thecompounds of cross-linker class II and the polyvalent metal cations ofcross-linker class IV, a cross-linking of the polymer is achievedrespectively via condensation reaction of the functional groups(cross-linker class II) or via electrostatic interaction of thepolyvalent metal cation (cross-linker class IV) with the functionalgroups of the monomer (α1) or (α2). With compounds of cross-linker classIII, a cross-linking of the polymers is achieved correspondingly byradical polymerization of the ethylenically unsaturated groups or alsoby condensation reaction between the functional groups of thecross-linkers and the functional groups of the monomers (α1) or (α2).

In one aspect, compounds of cross-linker class I includepoly(meth)acrylic acid esters, which have been obtained for example byconversion of a polyol, such as for example ethylene glycol, propyleneglycol, trimethylolpropane, 1,6-hexanediol, glycerine, pentaerythritol,polyethyleneglycol, or polypropyleneglycol, of an aminoalcohol, apolyalkylenepolyamine, such as for example diethylenetriamine ortriethylenetetraamine, or of an alkoxidized polyol with acrylic acid ormethacrylic acid. In another aspect, compounds of cross-linker class Iinclude polyvinyl compounds, poly(meth)allyl compounds, (meth)acrylicacid esters of a monovinyl compound or (meth)acrylic acid esters of amono(meth)allyl compound, such as the mono(meth)allyl compounds of apolyol or of an aminoalcohol. In this context, DE 195 43 366 and DE 19543 368 are referred to.

Examples of compounds of cross-linker class I includealkenyldi(meth)acrylates, for example ethyleneglycoldi(meth)acrylate,1,3-propyleneglycoldi(meth)acrylate, 1,4-butyleneglycoldi(meth)acrylate,1,3-butyleneglycoldi(meth)acrylate, 1,6-hexanedioldi(meth)acrylate,1,10-decanedioldi(meth)acrylate, 1,12-dodecanedioldi(meth)acrylate,1,18-octadecanedioldi(meth)acrylate, cyclopentanedioldi(meth)acrylate,neopentylglycoldi(meth)acrylate, methylenedi(meth)acrylate orpentaerythritoldi(meth)acrylate, alkenyldi(meth)acrylamides, for exampleN-methyldi(meth)acrylamide, N,N′-3-methylbutylidenebis(meth)acrylamide,N,N′-(1,2-dihydroxyethylene)bis(meth)acrylamide,N,N′-hexamethylenebis(meth)acrylamide orN,N′-methylenebis(meth)acrylamide, polyalkoxydi(meth)acrylates, forexample diethyleneglycoldi(meth)acrylate,triethyleneglycoldi(meth)acrylate, tetraethyleneglycoldi(meth)acrylate,dipropyleneglycoldi(meth)acrylate, tripropyleneglycoldi(meth)acrylate ortetrapropyleneglycoldi(meth)acrylate, bisphenol-A-di(meth)acrylate,ethoxylated bisphenol-A-di(meth)acrylate, benzylidenedi(meth)acrylate,1,3-di(meth)acryloyloxypropanol-2, hydroquinonedi(meth)acrylate,di(meth)acrylate esters of trimethylolpropane which is alkoxylated inone aspect, an in another aspect ethoxylated, preferably with about 1 toabout 30 mol alkylene oxide per hydroxyl group,thioethyleneglycoldi(meth)acrylate, thiopropyleneglycoldi(meth)acrylate,thiopolyethyleneglycoldi(meth)acrylate,thiopolypropyleneglycoldi(meth)acrylate, divinyl ethers, for example1,4-butanedioldivinyl ether, divinyl esters, for example divinyladipate, alkanedienes, for example butadiene or 1,6-hexadiene,divinylbenzene, di(meth)allyl compounds, for example di(meth)allylphthalate or di(meth)allyl succinate, homo- and co-polymers ofdi(meth)allyldimethylammonium chloride and homo- and co-polymers ofdiethyl(meth)allylaminomethyl(meth)acrylateammonium chloride,vinyl(meth)acrylic compounds, for example vinyl(meth)acrylate,(meth)allyl(meth)acrylic compounds, for example(meth)allyl(meth)acrylate, (meth)allyl(meth)acrylate ethoxylated withabout 1 mol to about 30 mol ethylene oxide per hydroxyl group,di(meth)allyl esters of polycarboxylic acids, for example di(meth)allylmaleate, di(meth)allyl fumarate, di(meth)allyl succinate ordi(meth)allyl terephthalate, compounds with about 3 or moreethylenically unsaturated, radically polymerizable groups such as forexample glycerine tri(meth)acrylate, (meth)acrylate esters of glycerineethoxylated with preferably about 1 mol to about 30 mol ethylene oxideper hydroxyl group, trimethylolpropanetri(meth)acrylate,tri(meth)acrylate esters of trimethylolpropane which is alkoxylated inone aspect, an in another aspect ethoxylated, preferably with about 1mol to about 30 mol alkylene oxide per hydroxide group,trimethacrylamide, (meth)allylidenedi(meth)acrylate,3-allyloxy-1,2-propanedioldi(meth)acrylate, tri(meth)allylcyanurate,tri(meth)allylisocyanurate, pentaerythritoltetra(meth)acrylate,pentaerythritoltri(meth)acrylate, (meth)acrylic acid esters ofpentaerythritol which is ethoxylated in one aspect with about 1 mol toabout 30 mol ethylene oxide per hydroxyl group,tris(2-hydroxyethyl)isocyanuratetri(meth)acrylate, trivinyltrimellitate,tri(meth)allylamine, di(meth)allylalkylamines, for exampledi(meth)allylmethylamine, tri(meth)allylphosphate,tetra(meth)allylethylenediamine, poly(meth)allyl ester,tetra(meth)allyloxyethane, or tetra(meth)allylammonium halides.

Compounds of cross-linker class II can be compounds that have at leasttwo functional groups that can react in a condensation reaction(=condensation cross-linkers), in an addition reaction or in a ringopening reaction with the functional groups of the monomers (α1) or (α2)in one aspect, and in another aspect with acidic groups of the monomers(α1). These functional groups of the compounds of cross-linker class IIcan be alcohol, amine, aldehyde, glycidic, isocyanate, carbonate, orepichloro functions.

Examples of compounds of cross-linker class II include polyols, forexample ethylene glycol, polyethylene glycols such as diethylene glycol,triethylene glycol, and tetraethylene glycol, propylene glycol,polypropylene glycols such as dipropylene glycol, tripropylene glycol,or tetrapropylene glycol, 1,3-butanediol, 1,4-butanediol,1,5-pentanediol, 2,4-pentanediol, 1,6-hexanediol, 2,5-hexanediol,glycerine, polyglycerine, trimethylolpropane, polyoxypropylene,oxyethylene-oxypropylene block copolymers, sorbitan-fatty acid esters,polyoxyethylene sorbitan-fatty acid esters, pentaerythritol,polyvinylalcohol and sorbitol, aminoalcohols, for example ethanolamine,diethanolamine, triethanolamine or propanolamine, polyamine compounds,for example ethylenediamine, diethylenetriamine, triethylenetetraamine,tetraethylenepentaamine or pentaethylenehexaamine, polyglycidyl ethercompounds such as ethyleneglycoldiglycidyl ether,polyethyleneglycoldiglycidyl ether, glycerinediglycidyl ether,glycerinepolyglycidyl ether, pentaerithritolpolyglycidyl ether,propyleneglycoldiglycidyl ether, polypropyleneglycoldiglycidyl ether,neopentylglycoldiglycidyl ether, hexanediolglycidyl ether,trimethylolpropanepolyglycidyl ether, sorbitolpolyglycidyl ether,phthalic acid diglycidyl ester, adipinic acid diglycidyl ether,1,4-phenylenebis(2-oxazoline), glycidol, polyisocyanates, in one aspectdiisocyanates such as 2,4-toluenediioscyanate andhexamethylenediisocyanate, polyaziridine compounds such as2,2-bishydroxymethylbutanol-tris [3-(1-aziridinyl)propionate],1,6-hexamethylenediethylene urea anddiphenylmethane-bis-4,4′-N,N′-diethylene urea, halogen epoxides forexample epichloro- and epibromohydrin and α-methylepichlorohydrin,alkylene carbonates such as 1,3-dioxolane-2-one (ethylene carbonate),4-methyl-1,3-dioxolane-2-one (propylene carbonate),4,5-dimethyl-1,3-dioxolane-2-one, 4,4-dimethyl-1,3-dioxolane-2-one,4-ethyl-1,3-dioxolane-2-one, 4-hydroxymethyl-1,1-dioxolane-2-one,1,3-dioxane-2-one, 4-methyl-1,3-dioxane-2-one,4,6-dimethyl-1,3-dioxane-2-one, 1,3-dioxolane-2-one,poly-1,3-dioxolane-2-on, polyquaternary amines such as condensationproducts from dimethylamines and epichlorohydrin. Further compounds ofthe cross-linker class II are polyoxazolines such as1,2-ethylenebisoxazoline, cross-linkers with silane groups such asγ-glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane and γ-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane,oxazolidinones such as 2-oxazolidinone, bis- and poly-2-oxazolidinoneand diglycolsilicates.

In one aspect, compounds of cross-linker class III include hydroxyl oramino group-containing esters of (meth)acrylic acid, such as for example2-hydroxyethyl(meth)acrylate, as well as hydroxyl or aminogroup-containing (meth)acrylamides, or mono(meth)allylic compounds ofdiols.

The polyvalent metal cations of cross-linker class IV are derived in oneaspect from singly or multiply charged cations, the singly charged inparticular from alkali metals such as potassium, sodium, or lithium,wherein lithium is one aspect. In another aspect, doubly charged cationsare derived from zinc, beryllium, or alkaline earth metals such asmagnesium, calcium, strontium, wherein magnesium is one aspect. Furthercations applicable according to an embodiment of the present invention,with higher charge, include cations from aluminium, iron, chromium,manganese, titanium, zirconium, and other transition metals as well asdouble salts of such cations or mixtures of the named salts. The use ofaluminium salts and alums and various hydrates thereof such as e.g.AlCl₃.6H₂O, NaAl(SO₄)₂.12H₂O, KAl(SO₄)₂.12H₂O or Al₂(SO₄)₃.14-18H₂O isone aspect.

The use of Al₂(SO₄)₃ and its hydrates as cross-linkers of thecross-linker class IV is another aspect.

Water-absorbing polymers can be those which are cross-linked bycross-linkers of the following cross-linker classes or by cross-linkersof the following combinations of cross-linker classes: I, II, III, IV,III, I III, I IV, I II III, I II IV, I III IV, II III IV, II IV, or IIIIV. The above combinations of cross-linker classes represent a preferredembodiment of cross-linkers of a water-absorbing polymer particle.

Further embodiments of the polymers are polymers that are cross-linkedby any of the above named cross-linkers of cross-linker class I. Amongthese, water-soluble cross-linkers are an aspect. In this context,N,N′-methylenebisacrylamide, polyethylene glycol di(meth)acrylates,triallylmethylammonium chloride, tetraallylammonium chloride, as well asallylnonaethylene glycol acrylate made with 9 mol ethylene oxide per molacrylic acid are another aspect.

Water-soluble polymers (α4) such as partially or fully saponifiedpolyvinyl alcohol, polyvinylpyrrolidone, starches or starch derivatives,polyglycols or polyacrylic acids can be comprised in, and in one aspectpolymerized into, the water-absorbing polymer particles. The molecularweight of these polymers is not critical, as long as they arewater-soluble. Water-soluble polymers can be starches or starchderivatives or polyvinyl alcohol. The water-soluble polymers, such assynthetic-like polyvinyl alcohol, can also serve as graft basis for themonomers to be polymerized.

Additives (α5), suspension agents, odor binders, surface-active agents,or antioxidants can be comprised in the water-absorbing polymerparticles.

The above-described polymer particles comprising part of the powderywater-absorbing polymers according to the present invention can beproduced by bulk polymerization that occurs in one aspect in kneadingreactors such as extruders or by belt polymerization, solutionpolymerization, spray polymerization, inverse emulsion polymerization,and inverse suspension polymerization. Solution polymerization can becarried out in water as a solvent. The solution polymerization can occurcontinuously or discontinuously. The solution polymerization can occuras continuously running band polymerization. From the art, a broadspectrum of variation possibilities can be learned with respect toreaction proportions such as temperatures, type, and quantity of theinitiators as well as of the reaction solution. Typical processes aredescribed in the following patent specifications: U.S. Pat. No.4,286,082, DE 27 06 135, U.S. Pat. No. 4,076,663, DE 35 03 458, DE 40 20780, DE 42 44 548, DE 43 23 001, DE 43 33 056, and DE 44 18 818.

In order to convert the water-absorbing polymers obtained by theabove-cited polymerization processes into a particulate form with anaverage particle size of at least about 100 μm in one aspect, in anotheraspect of less than about 150 μm, and in yet another aspect of less thanabout 200 μm, after their separation from the reaction mixture, thesepolymers can first be dried at a temperature in a range of about 20° C.to about 300° C. in one aspect, in another aspect within a range ofabout 50° C. to about 250° C., and in yet another aspect within a rangefrom about 100° C. to about 200° C. to a water content of less thanabout 40 wt. % in one aspect, in another aspect of less than about 20wt. %, and in yet another aspect of less than about 10 wt. %, based onthe total weight of the polymer. The drying occurs in one aspect inovens or driers known to those skilled in the art, for example in beltdriers, drying hurdles (“Hordentrockner”), rotary kilns, fluid beddriers, disc driers, paddle driers, or infrared driers. Should the thusobtained, dried polymers not yet be present in particulate form, thenthey can be further comminuted after the drying. The comminuting canoccur by dry-grinding in one aspect, and in another aspect bydry-grinding in a hammer mill, a pin mill, a ball mill, or a roll mill.

Besides the above-described process for transforming the polymers into aparticulate form, the polymers can also be comminuted in the gel stateby the process of wet grinding with any conventional device for wetgrinding.

In a further embodiment, the water-absorbing polymer particlescomprising part of the powdery water-absorbing polymer are based onbiodegradable materials. Natural polysaccharides belong to this group,which already naturally comprise carboxyl groups or have been providedby subsequent modification with carboxyl groups. A first group ofpolysaccharides include for example starches, amylose, amylopectin,celluloses, and polygalactomannanes such as guar and locust bean gum,and a second group includes for example xanthane, alginates, and gumarabic.

In yet a further embodiment, the water-absorbing polymer particlescomprising part of the powdery water-absorbing polymers are based on amixture of biodegradable and synthetic water-absorbing polymerparticles.

In even yet a further embodiment according to the present invention, thewater-absorbing polymer particles comprise an inner portion, an outerportion surrounding the inner portion, and a surface portion surroundingthe outer portion, whereby the outer portion has a higher degree ofcross-linking than the inner portion, so that in one aspect a core-shellstructure forms. The increased cross-linking in the surface portion ofthe powdery water-absorbing polymer can be achieved by means ofsecondary cross-linking of reactive groups near the surface. Thissecondary cross-linking can occur thermally, photochemically, orchemically. As secondary cross-linker for the chemical secondarycross-linking, compounds can be those that were mentioned ascross-linker (α3) of cross-linker classes II and IV. A secondarycross-linker can be ethylene carbonate.

In a process according to the present invention for producing powderywater-absorbing polymers, Steps can comprise bringing:

-   -   about 0.01 wt. % to about 20 wt. % in one aspect, in another        aspect about 0.1 wt. % to about 15 wt. %, and in yet another        aspect about 1 wt. % to about 10 wt. % of a fine particle which        in one aspect is not based on water-absorbing cross-linked        poly(meth)acrylates with an average particle size determined by        sieve analysis of less than about 200 μm in one aspect, in        another aspect of less than 100 μm, and in yet another aspect of        less than about 50 μm;    -   about 0.001 wt. % to about 10 wt. % in one aspect, in another        aspect about 0.01 wt. % to about 5 wt. %, and in yet another        aspect about 0.5 wt. % to about 1 wt. % of a thermoplastic        adhesive; and    -   about 60 wt. % to about 99.998 wt. % in one aspect, in another        aspect about 70 wt. % to about 99 wt. %, and in yet another        aspect about 90 wt. % to about 95 wt. % of a water-absorbing        polymer particle with an average particle size determined by        sieve analysis of at least about 200 μm in one aspect, in        another aspect of at least about 250 μm, and in yet another        aspect of at least 300 μm, whereby the sum of the above        components amounts to about 100 wt. %,    -   into contact at a temperature within the range of about 120° C.        to about 250° C. in one aspect, in another aspect about 150° C.        to about 220° C., and in yet another aspect about 170° C. to        about 200° C.

In an embodiment of the above process, a further component of at leastone of the above-defined secondary cross-linkers is used. In this case,in one aspect, the water-absorbing fine particle is not secondary orsurface cross-linked. In another aspect of this design, a thermoplasticadhesive and secondary cross-linker are used in a liquid phase, in oneaspect in an aqueous solution, whereby the concentrations given above inthe context of the liquid phase are also used. In this context, in oneaspect, as a further component, a secondary cross-linker is brought intocontact. In another aspect, the secondary cross-linker and thethermoplastic adhesive are added together to the other components,whereby at least the secondary cross-linker can be present in a liquidphase.

The water-absorbing polymer particles, thermoplastic adhesives, or fineparticles that have already been mentioned in the context of the powderywater-absorbing polymers according to embodiments of the presentinvention can be used.

In one aspect, according to embodiments of the present invention,thermoplastic adhesives are used in particulate form in one aspect, andin another aspect in the form of a powder or of a granulate, whereby atleast about 50 wt. % in one aspect, and in another aspect at least about70 wt. % of the powder or the granulate has a particle size determinedby sieve analysis within a range of about 1 μm to about 200 μm in oneaspect, in another aspect within a range of about 10 μm to about 150 μm,and in yet another aspect within a range of about 20 μm to about 120 μm.

Should the thermoplastic adhesives mentioned in the context of thepowdery water-absorbing polymers according to embodiments of the presentinvention not be present in particulate form after their production ortheir delivery, in particular for example if they are present in theform of blocks, these can be transformed by comminuting processes knownto those skilled in the art, such as for example by grinding or byextruding through breaker plates and then comminuting the extrudedparticles into a particulate form with the necessary average particlesize. Optionally, particular grinding processes can be used, for examplecryogrinding at low temperatures, in particular at temperatures belowthe melt or glass transition temperature of the used thermoplasticadhesive. An aspect for the grinding to the desired particle size is thebrittleness of the melt adhesive.

The bringing together of water-absorbing polymer particles,thermoplastic adhesives, and fine particles can occur in any suitableway. Aspects for the production of the powdery water-absorbing polymersaccording to embodiments of the present invention are, however, that atleast a contact time between water-absorbing polymer particles,thermoplastic adhesive, and fine particle is complied with, which allowsan adhesive binding mediated by the thermoplastic adhesive between atleast one water-absorbing polymer particle and at least one fineparticle. In one aspect, the contact time is measured so that aggregatesare generated which are as small as possible, which ideally compriseonly one water-absorbing polymer particle and one or more fine particleapplied to the surface of the water-absorbing polymer particle by meansof the thermoplastic adhesive. In one aspect, it should be avoided thatagglomerates consisting of several water-absorbing polymer particlesshould form by the adhesive effect of the thermoplastic adhesive bycontact times which are too long.

The bringing together of the water-absorbing polymer particles, thethermoplastic adhesive, and the fine particles can occur in any wayaccording to a process according to embodiments of the presentinvention. Thus, for example the thermoplastic adhesives in particulateform as well as the fine particles, can already be brought into contactwith the water-absorbing polymer particles during the production processfor the water-absorbing polymer particles. For this purpose, it is forexample suitable to contact the water-absorbing polymer particles withthermoplastic adhesive particles and the fine particles during asecondary cross-linking of the water-absorbing polymer particles, as isoften carried out in the production of superabsorbent polymers.

With respect to the order of bringing into contact the individualcomponents, different ways of proceeding are possible.

In an embodiment of the process according to the present invention,first the water-absorbing polymer particles are mixed with theparticulate thermoplastic adhesive in the solid state. Thewater-absorbing polymer particles brought into contact with thethermoplastic adhesive in this way can then be mixed with the fineparticles. In order to effect an adhesion, mediated by the thermoplasticadhesive, of the fine particles to the surface of the water-absorbingpolymer fine particles, the thermoplastic adhesive is first be heated bymeans of a temperature increase to a temperature above the melt or glasstransition temperature, so that it has a sticky behavior. The heatingcan occur to a time at which the water-absorbing polymer particles havebeen brought into contact with the thermoplastic adhesive but not yetwith the fine particles. In this case, the mixture of the polymer fineparticles and the thermoplastic adhesive is correspondingly heated to atemperature above the melt temperature of the thermoplastic adhesive,and this mixture is then brought into contact with the fine particles.In order to prevent an undesired agglomeration of the water-absorbingpolymer particles, it can be advantageous to cool temporarily thepolymer particles that have been brought into contact with the adhesiveto a temperature below the melt temperature of the thermoplasticadhesive. During this cooling phase, the water-absorbing polymerparticles are kept moving. A movement of this type can be caused forexample by stirring, shaking, or flowing, or the like. After thebringing into contact the water-absorbing polymer particles coated withthe thermoplastic adhesive with the fine particles, the temperature isincreased again to a temperature above the melt or glass transitiontemperature of the thermoplastic adhesive, in order to ensure anadhesion between the water-absorbing polymer particles and the fineparticles. In addition, in another embodiment of a process according tothe present invention, the water-absorbing polymer particles can befirst mixed with the fine particles, and then the thermoplastic adhesivecan be added, followed by the warming in order to melt the thermoplasticadhesive. In this way, a more homogeneous mixture of the fine particleswith the water-absorbing polymer particles can be achieved, which leadsto less dust formation and an improved flowability.

It is however also possible to heat the thermoplastic adhesive for atime at which it has not yet been brought into contact with thewater-absorbing polymer particles. In this case, first the thermoplasticadhesive is heated to a temperature above the melt or glass transitiontemperature of the thermoplastic adhesive and then brought into contactwith the water-absorbing polymer particles. The water-absorbing polymerparticles brought into contact with the thermoplastic adhesive in thisway are then mixed with the fine particles, whereby a temporary coolingto prevent formation of larger agglomerates can also occur here.

In a further embodiment of a process according to the present invention,it is proceeded as above, with the difference that first the fineparticles are mixed with the particulate thermoplastic adhesive in solidform and then the fine particles which have been brought into contactwith the thermoplastic adhesive are mixed with the water-absorbingpolymer particles.

In another embodiment of a process according to the present invention,however, the fine particles, the water-absorbing polymer particles, andthe thermoplastic adhesive are brought together into contact at the sametime. Thus, the thermoplastic adhesive in particulate form can be mixedwith the water-absorbing polymer particles and the fine particles at atemperature below the melt temperature and the thus-obtained mixturethen heated to a temperature above the melt temperature of thethermoplastic adhesive, in order to ensure the adhesion by thethermoplastic adhesive between the fine particles and thewater-absorbing polymer particles. It is also possible first to heat thethermoplastic adhesive to a temperature above the melt temperature andto mix the thus-heated thermoplastic adhesive together with the fineparticles and the water-absorbing polymer particles. Also in thisembodiment of a process according to the present invention, in order toprevent an undesired agglomeration of the water-absorbing polymerparticles, the polymer particles brought into contact with the adhesivemay be temporarily cooled to a temperature below the melt or glasstransition temperature of the thermoplastic adhesive. During thiscooling phase, the water-absorbing polymer particles should be moved.

The contact of the water-absorbing polymer particles with thethermoplastic adhesive and the fine particles can occur in mixingaggregates known to those skilled in the art. Suitable mixing aggregatecomponents are, e.g., the Patterson-Kelley mixer, DRAIS turbulencemixer, Lodige mixer, Ruberg mixer, screw mixer, plate mixer, andfluidized bed mixer as well as continuously-conveying, such as verticalmix ovens, in which the particles are mixed with a rapid frequency bymeans of rotating knives and which have movable, heated conveying means.

In one aspect according to the present invention, powderywater-absorbing polymers are secondary cross-linked in the surfaceportion in a further process step, whereby those secondary cross-linkerscan be those which have already been mentioned in the context of powderywater-absorbing polymers according to embodiments of the presentinvention as secondary cross-linkers.

There are various possibilities for the timing of the secondarycross-linking during the process according to an embodiment of thepresent invention.

In one embodiment of a process according to the present invention, thesecondary cross-linking occurs before the water-absorbing polymerparticles have been brought into contact with the thermoplastic adhesiveand the fine particles. In this case, the polymer fine particles arebrought into contact with the secondary cross-linker, in one aspect witha fluid comprising a solvent, such as water, organic solvents such asmethanol, ethanol, 1-propanol, or 2-propanol, or a mixture of at leasttwo thereof, and the secondary cross-linker. The water-absorbing polymerparticles which have been brought into contact with the secondarycross-linker are then heated to a temperature within a range of about50° C. to about 300° C. in one aspect, in another aspect within a rangeof about 100° C. to about 250° C., and in yet another aspect within arange of about 150° C. to about 200° C., in order to carry out thesecondary cross-linking. The thus secondary cross-linked polymerparticles are then brought into contact as described above with thethermoplastic adhesive and the fine particles.

In another embodiment of a process according to the present invention,the secondary cross-linking is carried out after the water-absorbingpolymer particles have been brought into contact with the thermoplasticadhesive and the fine particles. In this case, the powderywater-absorbing polymers, in whose surface portion the fine particlesare immobilized by means of the thermoplastic adhesive, are secondarycross-linked in the above-described type and way.

In an embodiment of a process according to the present invention, thesecondary cross-linking occurs during the bringing into contact of thewater-absorbing polymer particles with the thermoplastic adhesive andthe fine particles. In another embodiment according to the presentinvention, the water-absorbing polymer particles with the particulatethermoplastic adhesive, the fine particles, and the secondarycross-linker, in one aspect with the secondary cross-linker in the formof a fluid comprising the secondary cross-linker and a solvent, is mixedand then heated to a temperature above the melt temperature.

In one aspect, the secondary cross-linker is used in a quantity within arange of about 0.01 wt. % to about 5 wt. %, in another aspect within arange of about 0.3 wt. % to about 3 wt. %, and in yet another aspect ina quantity within a range of about 0.5 wt. % to about 1.5 wt. %, basedon the weight of the water-absorbing polymer particles. If the secondarycross-linker is used in the form of a fluid, in one aspect in the formof an aqueous solution or dispersion, this fluid comprises the secondarycross-linker in one aspect in a quantity within a range of about 10 wt.% to about 80 wt. %, in another aspect in a quantity within a range ofabout 30 wt. % to about 70 wt. %, and in yet another aspect in aquantity within a range of about 40 wt. % to about 50 wt. %, based onthe total weight of the fluid.

Embodiments of the present invention also relate to the powderywater-absorbing polymers obtainable by the above-described processes,whereby these powdery water-absorbing polymers in one aspect have thesame properties as the powdery water-absorbing polymers according to anembodiment of the present invention as described previously.

In another aspect, the powdery water-absorbing polymers obtainable by aprocess according to embodiments of the present invention arecharacterized by:

-   P1 A flow value (FFC) within the range of about 1 to about 13 in one    aspect, in another aspect within the range of about 3 to about 9,    and in yet another aspect within the range of about 4 to about 8,    and in even yet another aspect within the range of about 5 to about    7; or-   P2 A dust portion of at most about 6 in one aspect, in another    aspect at most about 4, and in yet another aspect at most about 2.

In another aspect according to embodiments of the present invention, thepowdery water-absorbing polymers according to embodiments of the presentinvention and the powdery water-absorbing polymers obtainable by aprocess according embodiments of to the present invention have in oneaspect at least one, and in another aspect all of the followingproperties:

-   P3 An attrition index A_(i) within the range of about 1 to about 17    in one aspect, in another aspect within the range of about 1.1 to    about 15, and in another aspect within the range of about 1.5 to    about 10;-   P4: An attrition difference A_(d) within the range of 0 to about 7    in one aspect, in another aspect within the range of about 1.1 to    about 6, and in yet another aspect within the range of about 1.5 to    about 3; and-   P5: A retention determined according to ERT 441.1-99 of at least    about 20 g/g in one aspect, in another aspect at least about 25 g/g,    and in yet another aspect at least about 27 g/g, as well as in even    yet another aspect within the range of about 27 to about 35 g/g.

The property combinations arising from two or more of the aboveproperties P1 to P5 of represent embodiments of the present invention.In another aspect, the powdery water-absorbing polymers according toembodiments of the present invention have the following properties orproperty combinations represented as follows by letters or combinationsof letters: P1P3P4P5, P1P5, P1P3P5, P3P5, or P1P2P3P4P5.

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a powdery water-absorbingpolymer comprising at least about 30 wt. % in one aspect, in anotheraspect at least about 75 wt. %, and in another aspect at least about 95wt. % a cross-linked, partially neutralized, in one aspect neutralizedwithin the range of about 60 mol. % to about 80 mol. %, polyacrylic acidand with at least one in one aspect, and in another aspect all of theproperties P1 to P5, in one aspect the property combinations P1P3P4P5,P1P5, P1P3P5, and in another aspect the property combination P3P5.

In another aspect, at least about 50 wt. % in one aspect, in anotheraspect at least about 70 wt. %, and in yet another aspect at least about90 wt. % of the powdery water-absorbing polymers obtainable by a processaccording to embodiments of the present invention as well as the powderywater-absorbing polymers according to embodiments of the presentinvention have a particle size determined by sieve analysis within therange of greater than about 50 μm to about 2,000 μm in one aspect, inanother aspect in a range of about 100 μm to about 1,500 μm, and in yetanother aspect in a range of about 200 μm to about 1,200 μm.

In a transport process according to embodiments of the presentinvention, the powdery water-absorbing polymers obtainable by a processaccording to embodiments of the present invention or the powderywater-absorbing polymers according to embodiments of the presentinvention flow through a pipe, whereby the pipe in one aspect forms apart of an installation for producing a water-absorbing polymer or of adosing system for a water-absorbing polymer. Dosing systems of this typecan, for example, be used in charging containers or bags or are situatedin airlaid machines or diaper machines. In another aspect, the pipe isthe pipe in which the powdery water-absorbing polymers are conductedwhen they are brought into contact with a fibrous material, such as forexample cotton fibers, to form an absorbent core or nucleus (“Kern”).

The composite according to an embodiment of the present inventioncomprises an above-defined powdery water-absorbing polymer and asubstrate. In one aspect, a powdery water-absorbing polymer according toembodiments of the present invention and the substrate are bondedtogether. As substrates, layers made from polymers, such as for examplepolyethylene, polypropylene or polyamide, metals, non-woven materials,fluff, tissues, webs, natural or synthetic fibers or other foams are oneaspect.

A composite according to embodiments of the present invention can besealant materials, cables, absorbent cores, as well as diapers andhygiene articles comprising these.

In a process according to embodiments of the present invention forproducing a composite, a powdery water-absorbing polymer according toembodiments of the present invention, or a powdery water absorbentpolymer obtainable by a process according to embodiments of the presentinvention, a substrate and optionally a suitable auxiliary are broughtinto contact with each other. In one aspect, the bringing into contactoccurs by wetlaid processes and airlaid processes, compacting,extruding, and mixing.

The invention additionally relates to a composite that is obtainable bythe above process.

Embodiments of the present invention further relate to chemicalproducts, in particular foams, formed bodies, fibers, sheets, films,cables, sealant materials, liquid-absorbing hygiene articles, carriersfor plant or fungus growth regulating agents or plant protection activesubstances, additives for building materials, packaging materials orsoil additives, which comprise the powdery water-absorbing polymeraccording to embodiments of the present invention, or the powderywater-absorbing polymer obtainable by a process according to embodimentsof the present invention or the above-described composite. The chemicalproducts are characterized in particular by a particularly goodbiodegradability.

In addition, embodiments of the present invention relate to the use ofthe powdery water-absorbing polymer according to embodiments of thepresent invention or the powdery water-absorbing polymer obtainable by aprocess according to embodiments of the present invention or of theabove-described composite in hygiene products, in fighting floods, ininsulation against water, in regulation of the water management in soil,or in treating food products.

Finally, embodiments of the present invention also relate to the use ofa thermoplastic adhesive for alteration of the flow value (FFC) or ofthe dust portion in powdery water-absorbing polymers comprising thisthermoplastic adhesive with respect to powdery water-absorbing polymersthat do not comprise this thermoplastic adhesive, whereby asthermoplastic adhesive, those adhesives can be those which have alreadybeen mentioned in the context of the powdery water-absorbing adhesivesaccording to embodiments of the present invention.

Embodiments of the present invention are now more closely described bymeans of test methods and non-limiting examples.

Test Methods Determination of the FFC Value

The FFC value gives information regarding the flow properties of a bulkmaterial in a silo. In the measurement, the bulk material is subjectedto different stresses. The flow behavior can be characterized asfollows;

FFC < 1 non-flowing  1 < FFC < 2 very cohesive  2 < FFC < 4 cohesive  4< FFC < 10 slightly flowing 10 < FFC free flowing

A good flow behavior is present if a bulk material can be made to flowwithout great effort, e.g., if the bulk material runs out of a funnel orof a silo without consolidation. With poorly flowing bulk materials,disruptions of the running out occur or they consolidate duringtransport or storage. The term “to flow” is meant that the bulk materialdeforms in a plastic manner because of stress.

Further details regarding how to conduct tests for a determination ofFFC can be found in the articles from Dr. Ing. Ditmar Schulze “Dasautomatische Ringschwergerät RST-01.pc” from February 2002 and“Fliesseigenschaften von Schüttgütern and verfahrenstechnischeSiloauslegung” from the year 2002. In the present measurements, themanually operated variant of the circular shear apparatus RST-01.01 isused.

Determination of the Dust Portion

The dust portion is determined with an apparatus of the company Palas,Germany of the type “Dust View.” To this end, a sample of 30.00 g isplaced in a funnel pipe. At the start of the measurement, the funnelflap opens automatically and the sample falls into a dust reservoir. Thereduction of a laser beam (reduction of the transmission) is measured bythe dust formation. This value serves for the determination of the dustportion, i.e., the cloudiness, in percent with a scale from 1 to 100.The dust portion is given by a start value at the start of themeasurement and a dust value measured after 30 seconds for determiningthe floating portion. Thus, the dust portion is given by the sum of thestart value and the dust value.

Determination of the Attrition Index and the Attrition Difference

The test device represented in FIG. 1 is used for this purpose. Thisconsists of a funnel 1 for introducing a sample into a probe chamber 2.Between the funnel and the probe absorption chamber 2, a conduit isprovided, with a charging valve V1 and a feed line provided with a gasregulating valve V2 arranged under charging valve V1. By means of V2, apressure of 4.3 bar is applied to the sample absorption chamber 2. Thisconsists of a cylinder with a diameter of 9 cm and a length of 16 cm. Ablunt cone-shaped lower region is attached to this cylinder, said lowerregion having a lower opening with a diameter of 4 cm. To this isattached a 2 cm long pipe with a diameter of 4 cm, which leads intern toa further blunt cone-shaped cycle with a length of 4.5 cm and a lowerdiameter of 1.75 cm. To this is attached a chamber outlet valve V3. FromV3, a pipe-conduit with an inner diameter of 10 mm and a total length of1101 cm follows via a curved piece of 90 degrees and of 4.5 cm length.The pipe conduit begins with a straight section of 30 cm, followed by 16straight sections each with a length of 60 cm linked with curved pieceof 90 degrees and of 4.5 cm length, the 16 straight sections beingjoined together via 180 degrees curved sections of respectively 4.5 cm.To the 16 sections is attached a further straight section of 30 cmlength via a curved piece of 90 degrees and 4.5 cm length. This sectionleads into a sample collection chamber 4, which only differs in itsconstruction from chamber 2 in that instead of the upper cover, a filterbag with a substantially smaller pore size in comparison to the particlesize of the samples is applied. The sample collection chamber is sealedbelow by a sample removal valve V4. All metal parts of theabove-described test device are made from 316 alloy stainless steal. Thetubes are standard stock pipes. The inner surfaces of the individualcomponents of the device are smooth. Valves of the type 20SS0R-02-LL-9102 from the company Milwaukee Valve Company, USA were used.

The above-described device is operated as follows:

Step 1—Sample Charging

The valves V1 and V4 are open, valves V2 and V3 are closed. 50 g of asample is loaded into chamber 2 using funnel 1.

Step 2—Sample Transport

The valves are activated in the following order: a) V1 closed, b) V2opened, c) V3 closed. After the pipe shows no more oscillation caused bypassage of the sample, the following valve positions are set: a) V2closed, V1 open, V3 closed.

Step 3—Sample Removal

To remove the sample, a vessel is placed under V4, and by carefullyopening V4, the sample is loaded into the vessel for furtherinvestigation. V4 is then closed again.

The sample is subjected to the determination according to DIN 55992-2both before step 1 and after step 3 for the determination of the dustportion before (S_(vorA)) and after attrition (S_(nachA)).

The “attrition index “A” is given by A_(j)=S_(afterA)/S_(beforeA).

The “attrition difference” Ad is given by A_(d)=S_(afterA)−S_(beforeA).

EXAMPLES

In the following examples a particulate, lightly cross-linked, partiallyneutralized polyacrylic acid is used as pre-product, which iscommercially obtainable from the company Stockhausen GmbH & Co. KG underthe trade name FAVOR® of the type Z3050. This has a retention of 33 g/gand a dust portion of 3.7.

Example 1

Production of the powdery water-absorbing polymer according to anembodiment of the present invention:

1000 g of the pre-product were placed with the quantities given in table1 of fine particles and thermoplastic adhesive in a vertical mixer(MTI-Mischtechnik Industrieanlagen GmbH, type LM 1.5/5) and combined at750 rpm with 40 g 25 wt. % ethylene carbonate solution.

The coated pre-product was transferred to a Gericke powder conveyor(Gericke GmbH, type GLD 75) and conveyed continuously with a conveyorperformance of 20 g/min into a Labor-Nara-reactor (HTM Reetz GmbH, typeLaboratory paddle mixer “Mini-Nara II”). The dwell time in the dryer wasapproximately 90 minutes and the product was heated to a maximumtemperature of 185° C. to 195° C. During this time, the secondarycross-linking occurred and the thermoplastic adhesive was melted,influenced the flow behavior, distributed itself on the surface andbound the fine particles to the surface of the water-absorbing polymerparticles.

TABLE 1 Quantity Quantity of Experiment Fine of fine Thermoplasticthermoplastic Dust number particles particles adhesive adhesive FFCportion 1 (HBr Mg 1.0 wt. % SchaettiFix ® 0.5 wt. % 5.4 0.2 7/127)HPO₄•3 H₂O 386 ¹⁾ (<50 μm) 2 (HBr Technocell ® 1.0 wt. % SchaettiFix ®0.5 wt. % 4.3 0.1 7/128) 75 (cellulose 386 ¹⁾ fiber <75 μm) ¹⁾ Productof the company Schaetti AG, Zurich, Switzerland; melting range: 130 to160° C., melt viscosity at 160° C.: 520 Pas, thermal stability: 120° C.

Example 2

The results collected in table 2 were produced as described in example 1with the materials and quantities given in table 2 and 60 g of the 25wt. % ethylene carbonate solution. The samples were subjected to theattrition test. The FFC value was determined after carrying out theattrition test. The CRC value was determined before and after carryingout the attrition test.

TABLE 2 Vestamelt ®²⁾ SchaettiFix ® Control 4481 386 Experiment number 34 5 Quantity of — 0.3 wt. % 0.3 wt. % thermoplastic adhesive Dustportion³⁾ S_(beforeA) 0.44 0.40 0.39 Dust portion³⁾ S_(afterA) 7.53 3.483.05 A_(i) 17.11 8.7 8.97 A_(d) 7.09 3.08 2.66 FFC before attrition 8.74.6 5.0 test CRC value before 27.3 27.5 27.2 attrition test [g/g]²⁾product of Degussa AG, Düsseldorf, Germany ³⁾quadruple determination

Example 3

Production of a powdery water-absorbing polymer by coating with athermoplastic adhesive in the presence of superabsorbent polymer fineparticles;

1000 g of the pre-product was placed with the quantities given in table3 of thermoplastic adhesive in a vertical mixer (MTI-MischtechnikIndustrieanlagen GmbH; type LM 1.5/5) and coated at 750 rpm with 40 g 25wt. % ethylene carbonate solution.

The coated pre-product was transferred into a Gericke powder conveyor(Gericke GmbH, type GLD 75) and conveyed continuously with a conveyorperformance of 20 g/min into a Labor-Nara reactor (HTM Reetz GmbH, typelaboratory paddle mixer “Mini-Nara II”). The dwell time in the dryer wasapproximately 90 minutes and the product was heated to a maximumtemperature of 185° C. to 195° C. During this time, the secondarycross-linking occurred and the thermoplastic adhesive was melted,influenced the flow behavior and distributed itself on the surface.

TABLE 3 Quantity Quantity of Experiment Fine of fine Thermoplasticthermoplastic Dust number particles particles adhesive adhesive FFCportion 6 (HBr — — SchaettiFix ® 0.5 wt. % 5.1 0.4 7/126) 386 7 control— — — — — 4.5 (HBr 7/125)

The examples show that by the use of thermoplastic adhesives, both thesuperabsorbent polymer fine particles that accompany the water-absorbingpolymer and also further fine particles that are different from thewater-absorbing polymer can be bound to water-absorbing polymerparticles with high stability and reduction of the dust portion, withoutthe absorption properties such as retention of the thus-obtainedwater-absorbing polymer particles, or flowability, suffering.

1-49. (canceled)
 50. A particulate water-absorbing polymer comprising:(a) from about 0.1 wt. % to about 99.999 wt. % of a polymerized,ethylenically unsaturated, acidic group-containing monomers or saltsthereof, or polymerized, ethylenically unsaturated monomers containing aprotonated or a quaternary nitrogen, or mixtures thereof, whereinmixtures comprising at least ethylenically unsaturated, acidicgroups-containing monomers; (b) from about 0.001 wt. % to about 5 wt. %of one or more cross-linkers; wherein elements a) and b) are polymerizedand prepared into water-absorbing polymer particles; and wherein thewater-absorbing polymer particles further comprise the following surfaceadditives; and (c) from about 0.01 to 5 percent by weight of thewater-absorbing polymer of a secondary crosslinker; and (d) from about0.001 to 0.3 percent by weight of the water-absorbing polymer of athermoplastic polymer having a number average molecular weight fromabout 10,000 g/mol to about 1,000,000 g/mol and having a meltingtemperature of at least 50° C.; wherein said thermoplastic polymer isselected from thermoplastic polyurethanes, thermoplastic polyesters,thermoplastic polyamides, thermoplastic polyolefins, thermoplasticpolyvinyl esters, thermoplastic polymers based on styrene, polystyrenes,polyimides, sulfur polymers, fluoride plastics, styrene-olefincopolymers, polyacrylates or ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers ormixtures of two or more of these polymers, and wherein the treatedwater-absorbing polymer particles have either a flow value (FFC)comprising from about 1 to about 13 according to the Determination ofthe FFC Value set forth in the present application, or a dust portioncomprising at most about 6 according to the Determination of the DustPortion method set forth in the present application.
 51. Thewater-absorbing polymer particles according to claim 50 wherein themonomer of part (a) comprises acrylic acid.
 52. The water-absorbingpolymer particles according to claim 50 wherein the water-absorbingpolymer particles comprise from about 80 to about 99.99 percent byweight of the polymer of water-absorbing polymer particles having aparticle size from about 200 μm to about 850 μm and from about 0.01 wt %to about 20 wt % of superabsorbent polymer fine particles having aparticle size of less than about 200 μm wherein the superabsorbentpolymer fine particles are bound to the surface of the water-absorbingpolymer particle by the thermoplastic polymer and whereinwater-absorbing polymer particles surface treated with elements c) andd) are heat treated to a temperature of from about 150° C. to about 200°C. in order to carry out the secondary crosslinking of the surface ofthe water-absorbing polymer particles and to melt the thermoplasticpolymer in order to bind the fine particles to the surface of thewater-absorbing polymer particles.
 53. The treated water-absorbingpolymer particles according to claim 50 wherein the flow value (FFC)comprises from about 1 to about 13 and the dust portion comprises atmost about 6, respectively based on the total weight of the powderywater-absorbing polymers.
 54. The treated water-absorbing polymerparticles according to claim 50 wherein the thermoplastic polymer has amelt temperature according to ISO 11357 of at least about 50° C.
 55. Thetreated water-absorbing polymer particles according to claim 50 whereinthe thermoplastic polymer has a melt viscosity according to Brookfield(ASTM E 28) with a number 27 spindle at a temperature of about 160° C.and less than about 2000 Pas.
 56. The treated water-absorbing polymerparticles according to claim 50 wherein the thermoplastic polymercomprises at least about 10 percent by weight of the adhesive of apolycondensate.
 57. The treated water-absorbing polymer particlesaccording to claim 56 wherein the polycondensate comprises a polyester.58. The treated water-absorbing polymer particles according to claim 50wherein at least about 80 percent by weight of the fine particlecomprises an inorganic fine particle.
 59. The treated water-absorbingpolymer particles according to claim 50 wherein the water-absorbingpolymers include secondary crosslinking in a surface region.
 60. Thetreated water-absorbing polymer particles according to claim 59, whereinthe surface crosslinking in the surface region comprises crosslinkingeffected by at least one organic compound or at least one polyvalentmetal cation.
 61. A liquid-absorbing hygiene article comprisingwater-absorbing polymer particles comprising: (a) from about 0.1 wt. %to about 99.999 wt. % of a polymerized, ethylenically unsaturated,acidic group-containing monomers or salts thereof, or polymerized,ethylenically unsaturated monomers containing a protonated or aquaternary nitrogen, or mixtures thereof, wherein mixtures comprising atleast ethylenically unsaturated, acidic groups-containing monomers; (b)from about 0.001 wt. % to about 5 wt. % of one or more cross-linkers;wherein elements a) and b) are polymerized and prepared intosuperabsorbent polymer particles; and wherein the superabsorbent polymerparticles further comprise the following surface additives; and (c) fromabout 0.01 to 5 percent by weight of the water-absorbing polymer of asecondary crosslinker; and (d) from about 0.001 to 0.3 percent by weightof the water-absorbing polymer of a polymer having a number averagemolecular weight from about 10,000 g/mol to about 1,000,000 g/mol andhaving a melting temperature of at least 50° C.; wherein saidthermoplastic polymer is selected from thermoplastic polyurethanes,thermoplastic polyesters, thermoplastic polyamides, thermoplasticpolyolefins, thermoplastic polyvinyl esters, thermoplastic polymersbased on styrene, polystyrenes, polyimides, sulfur polymers, fluorideplastics, styrene-olefin copolymers, polyacrylates or ethylene-vinylacetate copolymers or mixtures of two or more of these polymers whereinthe treated water-absorbing polymer particles have either a flow value(FFC) comprising from about 1 to about 13 according to the Determinationof the FFC Value set forth in the present application, or a dust portioncomprising at most about 6 according to the Determination of the DustPortion method set forth in the present application.
 62. Theliquid-absorbing hygiene article of claim 61 wherein the sanitaryarticle is a diaper.
 63. The water-absorbing polymer particles accordingto claim 61 wherein the monomer of part (a) comprises acrylic acid. 64.The water-absorbing polymer particles according to claim 61 wherein thewater-absorbing polymer particles comprise from about 80 to about 99.99percent by weight of the polymer of water-absorbing polymer particleshaving a particle size from about 200 μm to about 850 μm and from about0.01 wt % to about 20 wt % of superabsorbent polymer fine particleshaving a particle size of less than about 200 μm wherein thesuperabsorbent polymer fine particles are bound to the surface of thewater-absorbing polymer particle by the thermoplastic polymer andwherein water-absorbing polymer particles surface treated with elementsc) and d) are heat treated to a temperature of from about 150° C. toabout 200° C. in order to carry out the secondary crosslinking of thesurface of the water-absorbing polymer particles and to melt thethermoplastic polymer in order to bind the fine particles to the surfaceof the water-absorbing polymer particles.
 65. The treatedwater-absorbing polymer particles according to claim 61 wherein the flowvalue (FFC) comprises from about 1 to about 13 and the dust portioncomprises at most about 6, respectively based on the total weight of thepowdery water-absorbing polymers.
 66. The treated water-absorbingpolymer particles according to claim 61 wherein the thermoplasticpolymer has a melt temperature according to ISO 11357 of at least about50° C.
 67. The treated water-absorbing polymer particles according toclaim 61 wherein the thermoplastic polymer has a melt viscosityaccording to Brookfield (ASTM E 28) with a number 27 spindle at atemperature of about 160° C. and less than about 2000 Pas.
 68. Thetreated water-absorbing polymer particles according to claim 61 whereinthe thermoplastic polymer comprises at least about 10 percent by weightof the adhesive of a polycondensate.
 69. The treated water-absorbingpolymer particles according to claim 68 wherein the polycondensatecomprises polyester.
 70. The treated water-absorbing polymer particlesaccording to claim 61 wherein at least about 80 percent by weight of thefine particle comprises an inorganic fine particle.
 71. The treatedwater-absorbing polymer particles according to claim 61 wherein thewater-absorbing polymers include secondary crosslinking in a surfaceregion.
 72. The treated water-absorbing polymer particles according toclaim 71 wherein the surface crosslinking in the surface regioncomprises crosslinking effected by at least one organic compound or atleast one polyvalent metal cation.